At the end of July 2013, the Anniversary Games celebrated a year since London 2012!  Who can forget the heart-swelling pride we all felt during those momentous two weeks! If you missed out on visiting the Olympic Park last year, now’s the time to make a date in your diary to visit the renamed Queen [...]

Regular visitors to our website will know that every month we try and update this news section with something interesting and informative.  We consider matters raised by our members and search Google for articles.  This month we have tried to find something inspirational after all the doom and gloom about benefits and PIP. As a [...]

If you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, you can exchange your weekly payment to lease a new car through the Motability Scheme. What’s more, insurance, servicing, RAC breakdown assistance and replacement tyres [...]

We have been keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the judicial review between six ILF users and the Department for Work and Pensions, as we’re sure you have. A decision on the case was delayed until late April and we have included the judgement on the attached, should you wish to read [...]

As many of you will no doubt be aware, PIP is the new replacement for the DLA (Daily Living Allowance) awarded to individuals at different rates subject to your needs. The DLA is a non-means-tested, non-contributory benefit which was introduced in the UK in 1992. The PIP roll-out commenced on 8 April 2013, however, most [...]

The Department of Health have recently launched a consultation on changes to the regulations for direct payments, for healthcare. Even if you don't receive a Direct Payment for your healthcare needs currently, you may want or be able to have one in the future, and therefore you may have a view on these proposals. Direct [...]

National charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, will be launching a special free ‘app’ in time for Valentine’s Day, to raise vital awareness of the organisation’s life-changing work. The Charity hopes those looking for a Valentine’s gift with a difference will download the affectionate ‘app’ and encourage others to do the same ahead of 14 [...]

The Disability Law Service, which provides advice to disabled people facing cuts this April, is expecting a surge in demand for its services in 2013. Unfortunately, 2013 looks like being a historic year for disabled people, but for all the wrong reasons! Read the full article by Patrick Butler and Abby Young-Powell in The Guardian, [...]

On Human Rights Day 10 December 2012, Stephen Bowen, Director of the British Institute of Human Rights, amongst 72 civil society groups, including Disability Rights UK, sent an ‘open letter’ to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. The letter expresses the concerns over the lack of political leadership of the Human Rights Act in [...]

You may or may not be aware that the following research was launched recently at the NCAS Conference 2012. The report and supporting material, including good practice case studies, can all be found via the Skills For Care website:www.skillsforcare.org.uk/how_can_we_help_you/personalassistantsframework.aspx. You can read the full press release below: Skills for Care, the Association of Directors of [...]

PA Pool is supporting Colleges Week 2012 , which this year is all about employability and work-readiness. As part of this year’s campaign, the Colleges Week team is issuing a call for employers and employees to sign-up to volunteer for the free ‘Inspiring the Future’ service. Inspiring the Future was launched in July 2012 by [...]

In August 2012, following the success of the London Olympic Games, Beth Davis-Hofbauer from Fareham in Hampshire, created an online petition in response to ticketing issues for wheelchair users; "I am a wheelchair user, with a four-year-old autistic son and a nineteen-month-old baby. Naturally we wanted to sit together and, particularly as it's the Paralympics, [...]

The future of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) is in serious doubt after the Government announced its desire to wind up the fund from 2015 and transfer its financial resources to Local Authorities. The news, which came as the Government launched a three month consultation on the Fund, has generated much debate among ILF users [...]

The Olympic Torch Relay is fast approaching its final journey but two of our PA Pool members were lucky enough to be given the opportunity, via nomination, to carry the flame through their communities. You can find out more via the London 2012 website here. On Wednesday 18 July, Bazza West carried the Olympic flame [...]

To stop and review the cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families, sign this online petition and circulate to your colleagues, friends and family: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968. Closing Date 1 November 2012.

A lovely article written about Katy Etherington for the Hertfordshire Life magazine, following her recent win of the AoC Gold Award. Hertfordshire Life